AutoTrader invites public to colour in cars and #DriveChange

AutoTrader – South Africa’s leading automotive site to buy new and used cars – is yet again in the driving seat of an initiative that’s sure to get South Africans talking, colouring and cycling. Billed as “one of the biggest collaborative public art events ever seen in South Africa”, the company’s #DriveChange campaign invites all South Africans to participate in, quite literally, the colouring in of their new fleet of corporate cars.

But we’re not talking your usual colouring-in fare – far from it. AutoTrader commissioned artist Lazi Mathebula (aka Greiispaces) to set the wheels rolling. They then ran a competition to find more South African artists to turn their cars into contemporary mobile art. The artists’ designs have now been applied to their fleet of new cars as line drawings only, to allow South Africans the opportunity to colour in the design with vibrant permanent markers supplied and sponsored by Sharpie.

However #DriveChange is about much more than just creating head-turning original car branding. AutoTrader has set itself the target of raising enough funds to buy a container of bicycles for Qhubeka, the global non-profit organisation World Bicycle Relief’s programme in South Africa. The target amount if reached will buy about 80 bicycles.

Taking its name from the Nguni word that means to carry on, to progress or to move forward, Qhubeka helps people move forward and progress by giving bicycles in return for work done to improve communities, the environment or academic results. Half a million learners walk for more than an hour, up to 6km, each way. “AutoTrader will be giving rural learners bicycles so that they can shorten their journey times to and from school by up to 75%. This means they have more energy for their studies, which would explain why academic performance increases on average by 25% among bike recipients,” said George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader.

AutoTraders #DriveChange campaign will therefore be raising funds for Qhubeka by selling colouring-in spots for a donation of R50. Onlookers will also be encouraged to donate via a USSD line. All proceeds raised will be used to buy bicycles.

The colouring-in will take place at the following malls between until October 5: